India captain Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf were fined 30 per cent of their match fees each as both of the players found guilty of breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the high-octane clash between Pakistan and India on September 14 (Sunday).
According to details, the remarks made by the Indian captain were deemed to reference a recent military skirmish between the two countries. Suryakumar’s plea of not guilty was rejected by match referee Richie Richardson.
Meanwhile, Pakistan players Sahibzada Farhan and Haris Rauf also appeared before disciplinary hearings on Friday, after incidents during the Super Four clash on 21 September. Farhan was called up for miming a gun celebration upon reaching his fifty, while Rauf was seen making gestures referencing the downing of aircraft. Both await confirmation of any sanctions.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) submitted a complaint to the ICC over Suryakumar’s post-match comments on 14 September. In the complaint, the PCB highlighted that he dedicated the win to India’s armed forces. He later clarified that the dedication was to personnel involved in a military operation in May, which had led to renewed tension between India and Pakistan.
The PCB requested the ICC to impose a Level 4 sanction, citing prior examples where political messaging by players had been penalised. The complaint referenced incidents where the ICC disallowed slogans or messages relating to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, including a case involving Usman Khawaja.
Tensions were already high ahead of the India–Pakistan group match on 14 September. Players did not shake hands at the toss or after the game, which India won by seven wickets. Their later Super Four meeting featured several confrontations, with India opener Abhishek Sharma later alleging that Pakistan were aggressive “without any reason”.
Farhan later described his gun celebration as a spur-of-the-moment act. Rauf’s gestures appeared to reference military action and were made while fielding near the boundary.
It is understood both players denied any political intent in their actions. Though no official decision has yet been announced, the PCB is privately expecting fines to be issued.
Separate reports have indicated that Rauf has been fined a percentage of his match fee and issued a warning. Farhan has not been fined but received a warning for waving his bat in a manner resembling a firearm. The ICC reportedly found both players guilty of a Level 1 offence.
Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf is likely to face a 50 per cent fine as the hearing of the 31-year-old and opener Sahibzada Farhan before the International Cricket Council (ICC) has concluded.
Earlier, both the players were summoned following a complaint lodged by the Indian team management. The hearing was held at a hotel, where the matter concerning the Pakistani cricketers was examined.
According to sources, Haris Rauf is likely to face a 50 per cent fine, while Suryakumar Yadav may incur a 15 per cent penalty. No financial sanction is expected in Sahibzada Farhan’s case.
During the proceedings, both players were questioned regarding their gestures. Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan rejected the allegations and defended their conduct.
Sahibzada Farhan described the gun celebration as an expression of joy, commonly used by several players in the past. He referred to M. S. Dhoni and Viv Richards as examples, stating that the gesture is routine in Pakistan as a cultural expression of happiness.
In the course of the hearing, Sahibzada Farhan told the match referee, “We are Pathans; gun celebrations are a part of our tradition during moments of joy.”
Haris Rauf clarified that his gestures were not intended to offend anyone. He questioned the objection to the '6-0' hand signs, explaining that '6' denotes a six and '0' indicates a duck in cricketing terms. He called upon the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to specify how his gestures were interpreted. He maintained that the allegation against him lacked clarity and should therefore be dismissed.
